BRAZIL CIVAIR LIBERALIZATION: HOW DEEP AND HOW MUCH?

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000214 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/TRA FOR JEFF HORWITZ E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR BR SUBJECT: BRAZIL CIVAIR LIBERALIZATION: HOW DEEP AND HOW MUCH? REF: A) STATE 05 229843 B) BRASILIA 0146 ¶1. (SBU) On January 25, 2006 Econoff delivered ref A talking points to Michel Arslanian, First Secretary in the Division of Foreign Affairs, Investments and Financial Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The meeting was a follow up to the January 23 meeting CONGEN Rio Econoffs had with the Civil Aviation Department (DAC) reps in Rio on the same subject. In that session, the DAC deferred to the MFA's policy authority on the issue. Arslanian noted that while Brazil might be willing to cooperate further on civil aviation, Brazil's position on an Open Skies Agreement with the U.S. has not changed. Arslanian had no information on what form further cooperation might take. He offered to share our request with aviation transport authorities. A formal response to our demarche will come later, he said. ¶2. (SBU) Arslanian said he understood the timing of our request in light of the recent naming of National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) members and the changed role of the DAC (ref B). Arslanian asked about anecdotal evidence of the relative ease other countries achieved an Open Skies agreement with the US, stating that many of the agreements were done in the 1990s. Econoff pointed out that more than 25 agreements were achieved after 2000. ¶3. (U) The cable was coordinated with the Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro. CHICOLA